Heat exchange for structure with trough means



Jan. 30, 1962 e. B. BAILEY 3,018,639

HEAT EXCHANGE FOR STRUCTURE WITH TROUGH MEANS INVENTOR.

GEORGE B. BALEY M i ATT ORNEYS.

Jan. 30, 1962 G. B. BAILEY 3,018,639

HEAT EXCHANGE FOR STRUCTURE WITH TROUGH MEANS Filed March 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

5" waywa evm \mw vam w INVENTOR. /7 5 GEORGE E. BAILEY Zr-M A T TORNEYS.

Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 797,995 Claims. (Cl. 62285) The present invention relates to an extended fin surface structure adapted to divert liquid condensate forming on the surface of the structure to a relatively small discharge area and to collect and carry off this condensate.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Serial Number 710,519 filed January 22, 1958 (now abandoned).

Extended fin surface structures of many types are commonly employed in heating and cooling systems for residences, olfices and other living space. These structures consist generally of a tube for conducting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of closely spaced fins attached to the tube which serve to improve the heat exchange capacity of the structure. These structures may be used both for heating and for cooling the surrounding air space. Where employed as heating means, no difiiculty arises from moisture condensation. However, when a cooling fluid is circulated through the tube, the high moisture content of the warmer air being cooled by this system results in condensation of moisture on the surfaces of each fin and requires the provision of means for collecting the condensate and transporting it away from the fin structure to a suitable drain.

The individual fins are fabricated of thin sheets of heatconducting material and are usually of square, rectangular or circular shape. Attempts have been made to collect condensate by arranging troughs beneath the fin structure. The trough must be wide enough to collect condensate from the complete width of the fin structure, and this has had many disadvantages. In the first place, insufiicient moisture is condensed to necessitate a large trough. Secondly, the wide trough seriously impairs the circulation of air around and through the fin structure, thus cutting down on the efiiciency of heat transfer. This is particularly evident where the extended fin structure is employed in ceiling or valance heating where a large part of the extended fin structure is covered by a valance. In addition, such large troughs are expensive and cumbersome to install and maintain.

An additional problem is that of secondary condensation on the outside surface of the condensate troughs which in some cases may require insulation.

These problems have been recognized in the heating and air conditioning art and several attempts have been made to correct them. One such attempt has been the use of a square fin, with one point of the square arranged at the lowermost point of the structure. In this embodiment, it was hoped that the condensed moisture would converge downwardly along the tapered edges of the fin to the lower point of the square. The condensate would then be collected by means of a small, narrow trough disposed directly beneath the lowermost point of the fin. In practice, however, it was found that the tapered sides of the fin did not completely ensure the converging of condensed moisture and some of the moisture dropped from portions of the fin not covered by the narrow trough.

In addition, elaborate attempts have been made to provide suitable troughs, some having concentric troughs with insulated portions disposed between the two. None of the attempts of the prior art, however, have been considered acceptable and, although many people prefer the circulating fluid systems employing extended fin surface structures for winter heating of residences, forced air systems are used more extensively now because they are ment therewith. The cover is attached 3,618,639 Patented Jan. 30, 1962 adaptable for both heating and cooling without the above-mentioned disadvantages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved extended fin surface structure from which condensate may be collected readily in an inexpensive and efiicient manner without impairing the efficiency of the fin surface structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hanger of novel shape which serves to support a fin structure without developing moisture condensed thereon and which constrains the fin structure from vertical movement while permitting movement in a horizontal direction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a condensate trough which may be attached directly to a plurality of hangers of an extended fin surface structure and which remains substantially free from secondary condensation in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fin structure which is equally effective in the heating and the cooling of an enclosure and is adaptable for installation adjacent the ceiling.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing an extended structure with fins, each fin having a shape such that both sides are tapered angularly toward the lowermost extremity. A fin of this shape ensures that the moisture formed by condensation on the fin surface will gravitate to the lowermost and relatively narrow discharge portion of the fin, where it may be collected in a narrow trough.

It has also been found advantageous to dispose a lightweight, plastic trough directly beneath the lowermost discharge portion of the fins and to support this trough by means of one or more hangers, which hangers also support the fins in such a manner as to ensure the trough as always being directly beneath the lowermost discharge portion of the fins. The trough is preferably resilient so that it may be extended laterally and attached by clipping to the hangers.

A valance cover plate with a lower edge formed to encompass the trough provides an additional support for the trough along its length between the points of attaohment to the hangers. The plastic material is preferably low heat-conductive, which substantially eliminates the problem of secondary condensation.

Where these improved fin surface structures are employed in a ceiling or valance-level heating and cooling system, the structure preferably includes a metal valance cover, as mentioned above, adapted to clip at its lower edge onto the trough to provide an extremely simple, inexpensive and decorative cover for the extended fin surface structure. The cover comprises generally a body portion adapted to conform generally to the shape of the individual fins and has at its upper edge a flange adapted to hook over the upper end of each individual hanger assembly. The lowermost portion of the cover is shaped to conform generally to the external surface of the trough and extends about the trough to form a positive engageby simply placing member positioned clipping the flange the hanger support the lowermost edge around the trough beneath the fin surfaces, and then by on its upper edge in engagement with or onto the hanger itself.

These and other advantages of the invention will be more readily understood when the following is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing one embodiment of the novel fin and hanger structure of this invention for mounting to provide space for hanging curtains or draperies;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a modification of the novel fin structure 3 shown in FIG. 2 mounted on a vertical wall and having a hanger of modified structure.

Referring to the illustrative embodiments of the invention as shown in the drawings, a tube adapted to conduct a heat transfer medium is provided with a series of thin sheet metal fins 11. In FIGURE 1, each curved lower portion 16 is tangential with the edges of each fin 11. However, each fin 11 as shown in FIGURE 2 has tapered portions 12 and 13, the angle 14 of the tapered portion with the horizontal line 15 being at least 55 degrees and, preferably, within the range of 5570 degrees.

The necessity for this relatively steep angle is due to the convection air flow across the fins which may cause droplets of condensed moisture to be spattered on the wall or other surface to which the structure is attached. To some extent, the height of the ceiling may have a bearing on which specific angle is selected, the higher the ceiling, the steeper the angle. By way of example, a seven-foot ceiling requires at least a 55 degree angle whereas for an eleven-foot ceiling the angle required will approach 70 degrees.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the curved lower portion 16 of each fin 11 is preferably tangential with the tapered portions 12 and 13 to form a smooth transition from one of these edges to the next.

It is not practical to present a specific relationship between ceiling height and fin taper since other factors also have a bearing on which angle is selected ultimately. For example, one factor is the humidity of the air, the greater percentage of humidity requiring a steeper angle. However, it has been determined that a range of 55 degrees to 70 degrees will permit operation of the fin structure without droplets of condensed moisture escaping the trough beneath the fins.

The trough 17, in the preferred form shown in the drawings, is uniquely constructed to present a substantially uniform thickness throughout its cross-section. An arcuate, tube-like body 17a has inwardly projecting edges 17b defining a slot 170 extending along the length of the trough. Formed integrally with the tube-like body 17a at the edges 17b are flared apart flanges 18 to provide a greater moisture-collecting area. Each of the flanges 18 is inclined slightly upwardly from the edges 17b so that any moisture collected by the flanges will be directed through the slot 170 into the tube-like body 17a from which the condensed moisture is drained off at various selected points (not shown).

The edges 17b facing each other are provided also for the purpose of gripping an arcuately formed end 19 of a depending portion 21 of a hanger 20. The hanger will be described in greater detail presently. In its preferred form, the trough 17 is of resilient, low heat-conductive, plastic material and may be easily clipped on or removed from the arcuate portion 19 of the hanger 20.

A valance cover plate 22 is provided with a front surface 23 arranged to conform substantially with the shape of the fins 11. A flange 24, formed on an arm 25, is adapted to be hooked at the upper portion of each hanger 20. A lower portion 26 of the cover plate 22 is adapted to engage the trough 17 along its longitudinal length and is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the trough 1-7. To attach the cover plate 22, the lower portion 26 is placed in position under the trough 17 and, then, the flange 24 is hooked over the upper portion of each hanger 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the valance cover plate 22 is attached, as mentioned above, to the hangers 20, which maintain both the valance cover plate 22 and the trough 17 out of direct physical contact with either the fins 11 or the tube 10. By the unique structure embodied in this arrangement, the operation as well as the commercial value of the over-all fin structure is greatly enhanced. Since the fins 11 touch only the pipe or tube 10 and do not come into contact with either the valance cover 22 or the trough 17, secondary condensations on either or both of these last-mentioned elements is avoided.

Each hanger 20, in its preferred embodiment, is formed of a single piece of wire-like material of suitable rigidity to maintain its shape when in use. It may be formed of metal, plastic, or any other material, although metal is preferred in this instance; it may be formed with a base of one material and a coacting of a different material, and it may have any cross-sectional configuration such as round, square, tubular, etc.

The structural arrangement of the hanger 20 is extremely simple, effective and, thus, economical to manufacture and install. Since there is no metal contact between the tube 10 and the valance cover plate 22, there is no secondary condensation on the valance cover plate 22 during the cooling cycle.

These advantages mentioned above are accomplished by forming the wire-like material with an arcuate bend in the lower end 19 to conform substantially with the contour of the inner surface of the tube-like body 17a of the trough 17. The depending portion 21 of the hanger 20 includes spaced-apart legs 31 and 32 formed integrally with the end 19 and being joined together at a point indicated by the numeral 36 as, for example, by welding although other suitable attaching means may be used if desired.

Above the point of attachment 36, the spaced-apart legs 31 and 32 are bowed outwardly in a substantially uniform arcuate manner, as indicated by the numerals 34 and 35, for engagement with the tube 10.

The upper portion of the hanger 20 above the tubeengaging, arcuate bows 34 and 35 is flared as illustrated by the arms 27 and 28, terminating in hooked ends 29 and 30. It is preferred that the hooked ends 29 and 30 face in a direction substantially parallel with the tube 10 so that the hanger 20 is constrained from movement in a vertical direction.

A principal purpose of the Welded spot 36 is to prevent the combined weight of the tube 10 and the fins 11 from springing the legs 31 and 32 apart and, thus, slide down therebetween. However, the weld is located sufficiently below the arcuate bows 34 and 35 to permit the bows to spring apart for inserting or removing the tube 10.

Of course, any other suitable means may be used to attach the legs together at the point 36 such as, for example, a slidable clip. One other attaching arrangemen is illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings which shows the legs 31 and 32 as being twisted one or more turns, the twist being sufficiently below the bows 34 and 35 to permit the bows to be sprung apart as mentioned above.

An arcuately formed end 19 on the lowermost portion of the hangers is adapted to be received within the tubelike trough 17. In this manner, the trough is supported at the spaced-apart positions of the hangers 20. Support of the trough 17 between these hangers 20 is provided by the lower edge 26 of the valance cover 22 being in frictional engagement with the trough 17.

Of course, in all instances the plastic trough 17 will not be necessary, its principal advantage being when the fin structure is used for cooling purposes. If no trough 17 is to be used, as would be the case when the fin structure is used for heating purposes only, the end 19 on the lowermost portion of the hangers 20 serves to keep the valance cover plate 22 in place even though the fit is not quite as snug as when the trough 17 is in place.

To attach the fin structure unit to a suitable surface 40, as illustrated for example in FIGURE 3, one method is to mount a board 41 against the surface 40 on which the fin structure can, in turn, be mounted.

With the board 41 in place, a rod, nail or spike 42 is driven into the board at intervals along its length where it is desired to position each respective hanger 20. The head 43 of each nail 41 is a predetermined distance from the surface of the board 40 to provide space for attaching the hook ends 29 and 30 of each hanger 20. If desired, an auxiliary head or shoulder 44 may be provided at a predetermined point along the length of the nail 41 for greater ease in driving the nail to the exact depth.

An accurate spacing of the head 43 from the surface of the board 40 presents several advantages. For example, the fin structure will be positioned a proper distance from the surface 40 so that convection currents of air across the fins 11 will not be impeded. In addition, the hook ends 29 and 30 will be maintained a proper distance apart so that the tube is gripped tightly between the bows 34 and 35.

Also, shown in FIGURE 3 is a modification of the surface configuration of each fin 11. The fin 11 in FIGURE 3 is substantially the same as that shown in FIGURE 2 except for the lowermost point of the fin surface. Instead of being rounded as shown in FIGURE 2, the fin 11 shown in FIGURE 3 has sloping portions 12 and 13 which terminate at the lowermost portion in a squared-01f end 46.

If the valance assembly is used as a valance in connection with curtains, an arrangement similar to that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 would be more desirable than that shown in FIGURE 3 because this arrangement permits the installation of a curtain rod and, also, provides space for the curtains.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the moisture condensed on the surface of fin 11 when the extended fin structure is employed as a cooling element will be directed to the center and lowermost portion of the fin, where it may be easily collected in a narrow trough. The extended fin surface structure would be installed preferably peripherally at or close to the ceiling level. Where the structure is installed in a ceiling or valance level heating and cooling system, the spacing of the structure from the wall surface allows adequate circulation of air through and around the fin structure in spite of the. necessity of providing a valance in front of the structure to conceal it from view.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiment of the invention is illustrative only and that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the specific apparatus disclosed herein but is to be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An extended fin surface structure arranged to be positioned adjacent to a wall surface comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube, each fin in the portion thereof below said tube being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward about the center of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin at an angle of from about 55 to about 70 with the horizontal, hanger means having a portion attached to said tube to support said tube and plurality of fins, a trough extending the length of the structure, said hanger means having further a portion extending from said first mentioned portion to a point beneath said fin lowermost portion and attached to said trough for supporting said trough below and spaced from said fin lowermost portion, and means disposed in front of said structure adjacent to but spaced from the side thereof removed from said Wall adapted to cover said side of said structure, said hanger means comprising also a portion adapted to engage and support said last named means as so disposed, said structure thereby providing a system for optimum transfer of heat and optimum efl'lciency in the collection of moisture condensed on the fins.

2. An extended fin surface structure comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube, each fin being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward the center of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin, hanger means to support said tube and plurality of fins, the hanger means having an extended portion depending therefrom, a trough made of resilient low heat conductive material extending the length of the structure, said trough having support edges engaging said extended portion depending from said hanger means, said support edges being within the edges of the trough, and a valance cover comprising a body portion, a flange on the upper edge of said body portion engaging said hanger means, a lower portion of said body portion clipping onto and frictionally engaging said trough, said body portion generally conforming to the outer edge of said vertical fins.

3. An extended fin surface structure comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube, each fin being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward the center of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin, a plurality of hanger members spaced apart to support said tube and plurality of fins, each hanger member having a portion depending therefrom, an arcuate end portion on each depending hanger portion, a trough extending the length of the structure, said trough having supporting edges receiving the arcuate end of said hanger member and being supported thereby, said tapered portion of each fin being at least 55 with the horizontal such that all condensed liquid will gravitate from the fin into the trough, said structure further including a valance cover comprising a body portion, a flange on the upper edge of said body portion engaging said hanger members, and a lower portion, said lower portion clipping onto and frictionally engaging said trough.

4. An extended fin surface structure comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube, each fin being arcuate at the lowermost discharge portion of the fin, a plurality of hanger members spaced apart to support said tube and plurality of fins, each hanger member having leg members depending therefrom, an arcuate end formed between the ends of said depending leg members of each hanger member, attaching means between said leg members at a predetermined point along their length, mean formed on said hanger members adapted to support a cover, and a trough extending the length of the structure and adapted to be clipped on the arcuate ends of said depending leg members, means above said attaching means to grip said tube, and hook means at the upper end of said hanger member for supporting said structure.

5. An extended fin surface structure comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange medium, a plurality of fins spaced apart along the tube in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube, a plurality of hanger members spaced apart to support the tube between predetermined ones of the fins, each hanger member being formed of wire-like material and having a portion depending therefrom, a moisture collecting means made of a resilient low heat-conductive material and having support edges, an arcuate end on said depending portions to be received by said moisture collecting means, said depending portion having spaced apart leg portions, attaching means to attach said leg portions at a predetermined point, means to support said tube between said leg portions, means formed on the upper end of said hanger members to support a cover, and hook means at the upper end of said hanger members to support said structure.

6. An apparatus for heating, cooling, and dehumidifying a space enclosed by at least walls and a ceiling comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube, each fin being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward the center of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin, a plurality of spaced apartv lr ang'e'r members supporting said tube and plurality of'fi'ns and adapted'to be attached to the upper portion of one 'of' the walls adjacent to the ceiling, each hanger fiange on the upper edge of the body portion adapted to couple with the hanger members, and a lower portion adapted to frictionally engage the trough. v

7.An extended fin surface structure arranged to be positioned adjacent to a wall upper surface comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached'to said tube, each ifin in the portion thereof below said tube being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward about thevcenter of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin at an angle of-from about 55 to about 70 with the horizontal, hanger means having a portion attached to said tube to support said tube and plurality of fins, a trough of resilient low heat conductive material extending the length of the structure, said hanger means having a further portion extending from said first mentioned portion to a point beneath said fin lowermost portion and attached to said trough for supporting said trough below and spaced from said fin lowermost portion, and a valance cover comprising a body portion adapted to cover the side of said structure removed from said wall, said hanger means comprising also a portion adapted to engage and support said cover adjacent to said side of said structure but removed therefrom, said structure thereby providing a system for optimum transfer of heat and optimum efiiciency in the collection of moisture condensed on said fins. I v

8; An extended fin surface structure arranged to be positioned adjacent to a wall upper surface comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange 'fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to saidtube, each fin in the portion thereof below said tube being tapered in width downwardly from its outermost extremity toward the center of the lowermost discharge portion of the fin at an angle of about 70 with the horizontal, hanger means having a portion attached to said means to support said tube and plurality offins, 'a trough made of resilient low heat conductive material extending the length of the structure and l 1av'ing"a width less than the maximum 'width of said fin," said hangnfmeans havingia further portion extending from said first mentionedportion to a point beneath said fin lowermost portion attached to said trough for supporting said trough'belowand spaced from said fin lowermost portion, and a valance covcrcomprising a body portion adapted to cover the side of said S'tIUC/ ture removed from said wall, said hanger means comprising also a portion adapted to engage and support said cover adjacent to said side of said structure but removed therefrom, said structure thereby providing a system for optimum transfer of heat and efficiency in the collection of moisture condensed on said fins.

9. An extended fin surface structure comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid, a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached tosaid tube, and hanger means having a portion attached to said tube to support said tube and plurality of fins, said hanger means comprising vertically oriented leg members depending from said portion, a bulbous arcuate end formed between the ends of said depending leg members a resilient trough having upper inwardly directed edges by which said trough is clipped onto and frictionally engaged by said bulbous arcuate end, said fins in the portions thereof below said tube being tapered in width downwardly from their outermost extremity toward about the center of the lowermost portions of the fins at an angle of from about to about with the horizontal so that said lowermost portions are disposed vertically above, but spaced from, said trough.

10. An extended fin surface structure arranged to be positioned adjacent to a wall surface comprising a tube adapted to conduct a heat exchange fluid; a plurality of substantially vertical fins attached to said tube; a wire-like hanger means arranged to support said tube and plurality of fins comprising means attached to said wall and leg members depending therefrom, a bulbous arcuate end formed between the ends of said depending leg members, a resilient trough having upper inwardly directed edges by which said trough is clipped onto and frictionally engaged by said bulbous arcuate end, means positioned at a predetermined point along the length of said leg members and above said arcuate end attaching said leg members together, means above said attaching means to grip and-support. said tube, a cover for said stlucture, and

means at the upper end of said hanger members arranged ;to support saidcover, at least in part, on the side of said structure removed from said wall.

- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESTATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,018,639 January 30, 1962 George B. Bailey It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered petent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the heading to the drawings, Sheets 1 and 2, line 2, and in the heading to the printed specification, lines 2 and 3, title of invention, for "HEAT EXCHANGE FOR STRUCTURE WITH TROUGH MEANS" read HEAT EXCHANGE STRUCTURE WITH THOUGH MEANS Signed and sealed this 19th day of June 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

- DAVID L. LADD ERNEST W. SWIDER Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

